Taking 'active role' in controlling prices: Kerala to HC

Kochi, Aug 4: Kerala government today told the state high court that it was taking an 'active role' in controlling prices of essential commodities, including onions, and preventing hoarding.

It also pointed out that price of vegetables, including onion, is usually affected by non-availablity and natural calamities in the neighbouring states. This was not a local phenomena but has affected the rest of the states as well, it submitted in a counter affidavit on a petition by one Basil of Kochi seeking raids and inspections of open markets and to publish price list.

The state government and its agencies have done everything possible to curtail and control the prices of onion and preventing hoarding of commodities. Inspections are conducted in open markets and a large number of cases have been detected and actions were being taken, it was stated.

The counter affidavit, filed by C Jaykumar, Assistant Secretary, Commissionerate of Civil Supplies, said that during 2012, 309 inspections were conducted and last year 339. As the mechanism was already in force and inspections were conducted along with routine works, no further action was required, it submitted.